Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has claimed that former Proton Holdings Bhd (Proton) chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad's "interference" in every move to rationalise the national car company resulted in its inability to expand while sustaining extended losses.

He said it was hoped the former prime minister's voluntary resignation would put the company on stronger ground and start chalking up profits in the future.

"It was learnt that all plans, including administrative matters - however small in Proton - needed his (Dr Mahathir's) approval and (thus) his interference caused all plans to be disrupted.

"Before this, Proton was negotiating with external parties to expand its market and acquire a foreign partner, but it could not proceed due to his interference," he alleged.

Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera MP, was speaking to reporters after opening the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Mengkarak Parent-Teachers' Association annual general meeting in Bera today.

Mahathir, who was appointed Proton chairperson on May 16, 2014, announced his resignation from the post on Wednesday. He was appointed Proton adviser in 2003.

Meanwhile, in Larut, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hamzah Zainudin described Dr Mahathir's resignation as Proton Holdings chairman as timely.

This was because the time had come for Dr Mahathir to give a new leader an opportunity to lead the national automative company, the Larut MP told reporters after presenting electric rice cookers to Wanita Umno members in the Batu Kurau state constituency here today.

Hamzah was commenting on Dr Mahathir's decision to resign from several government-linked posts such as Proton chairperson, Group Lotus Plc chairperson, Universiti Teknologi Petronas chancellor, Langkawi Development Authority adviser, and Pulau Tioman Development Authority adviser on March 30.

- Bernama